Court strikes out suit against Shippers Council

Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos has struck out a suit filed by Seaports Terminal Operators of Nigeria (STOAN) against the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) due to non-compliance with the court’s rules.

The judge said the parties came by way of originating summons but did not raise issues (question) for determination.

“Since the court cannot proceed without knowing the right and interest of the parties which are inextricably tied to the question of determination, the court cannot proceed on that,” he held.

The terminal operators on October 31 secured an interim injunction stopping the NSC from implementing the new directive on port charges.

The NSC had on October 29 published an advertisement announcing the reversal of the unilateral increase in storage charges at the ports by terminal operators.

The storage charges was last increaed by the government on May 1, 2009.

NSC also ordered an increase in the storage period at the ports from three days to seven days. It also directed shipping companies to reduce their charges from N26,500 to N23,850 (20 ft container) and from N48,000 to N40,000 (40 ft container).

NSC further asked shipping agencies to refund container deposits to importers and agents within 10 days after the return of the empty containers.